Problématique de l’approvisionnement en bois des usines à thé au Burundi et alternatives potentielles : Cas des complexes théicoles de TORA et IJENDA

Abstract

In Burundi, tea factories are facing a shortage of firewood for drying tea leaves. Deforestation and competition with other uses of wood (such as construction and domestic heating) are exacerbating this problem, pushing factories to seek alternatives to reduce wood consumption. This study conducted in the Tora and Ijenda tea complexes aimed to assess wood use, reforestation efforts, and energy alternatives, in order to identify strategies for the sustainable management of wood resources and to address wood shortage issues. This study uses a mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection. Data on the quantities of wood used and the areas reforested were collected through semi-structured interviews and factory documents. Data on alternative energy sources were collected through interviews with factory staff and from the literature. The data were synthesized in the form of tables and graphs to facilitate analysis and interpretation. The study showed that over a total of 12 years, the wood consumption of these two factories amounted to 171,175.5 steres, representing an annual average of 14,264 steres. Considering the average per ton of dry tea, for both factories, consumption ranges between 3 to 5 steres of wood with an average of 4 steres per ton of dry tea. Regarding the contribution of own plantations, for the Tora factory, own plantations contribute 42.24% of wood needs, while 57.26% comes from outside. For the Ijenda factory, own plantations contribute 30.4% compared to 69.6% of wood purchased externally. To meet the dry tea production demand planned in the five-year plan of these two factories, projections show that additional reforestation of 659.87 hectares will be required for OTB Ijenda. For OTB Tora, there will be no need to establish new plantations but to convert 57.41 hectares of their own plantations. To reduce excessive wood use, the use of palm kernel shells was tested as a supplement to wood. However, the study showed that, compared to exclusive use of wood steres, their use resulted in an additional economic cost of 21,370 BIF and 39,970 BIF per ton of dry tea for the Ijenda and Tora factories respectively. Although palm kernel shells are a promising alternative, it would therefore be wise to renegotiate prices and explore other strategies to maximize their use. The use of briquettes made from biomass remains a good option to suggest among the various possible alternatives in Burundi, given the abundance of available resources and the relatively easy technological feasibility.